Reinga Bloxham

{{Infobox netball biography

|name = Reinga Bloxham

|image =

|caption =

|fullname = Reinga Bloxham

|birth_date = c. {{birth year and age|1975}}

|birth_place =

|height =

|school =

|university =

|relatives = Georgie Salter (aunt)

|positions = WD, C

|clubyears1 = 1998–2004

|clubteam1 = Southern Sting

|clubyears2 = 2006

|clubteam2 = Southland

|coachyears1 = 2009

|coachteam1 = Southland LMC

|coachyears2 = 2010–2013

|coachteam2 = Southland NPC

|coachyears3 = 2014

|coachteam3 = Netball South U23

|coachyears4 = 2016–2024

|coachteam4 = Southern Steel

|coachyears5 = 2024-

|coachteam5 = Cardiff Dragons

}}

Reinga Bloxham, also known as Reinga Te Huia, is a former New Zealand netball player and current coach. During the Coca-Cola Cup/National Bank Cup era, she played for Southern Sting. From 2016 to 2024,{{Cite web |title=Stuff |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350344357/bloxham-will-miss-everything-about-steel-and-community |access-date=2025-06-28 |website=www.stuff.co.nz}} she served as head coach of Southern Steel in the ANZ Premiership. In 2017 and 2018, Bloxham guided Steel to two successive ANZ Premiership titles. In 2024 she was appointed as head coach of the Cardiff Dragons in the Netball Super League.

Early life and family

Bloxham is a Māori with Ngāti Kahungunu affiliations.{{cite web|url=https://www.anzpremiership.co.nz/Images/Assets/12762/1/anzp-media-guide-2017.pdf|title=ANZ Premiership Netball 2017 Media Guide|publisher=www.anzpremiership.co.nz|date=26 March 2017|access-date=30 April 2017|archive-date=9 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409071006/https://www.anzpremiership.co.nz/Images/Assets/12762/1/anzp-media-guide-2017.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://anzpremiership.co.nz/Images/Assets/126052/1/2018%20ANZP%20Media%20Guide_Digital_LowRes_v4.pdf|title=ANZ Premiership 2018 Media Guide|publisher=www.anzpremiership.co.nz|date=12 June 2018|access-date=17 August 2022|archive-date=17 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117235606/http://anzpremiership.co.nz/Images/Assets/126052/1/2018%20ANZP%20Media%20Guide_Digital_LowRes_v4.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.teaomaori.news/bloxham-puts-hand-silver-ferns-assistant-coach|title=Bloxham puts hand up for Silver Ferns assistant coach|publisher=www.teaomaori.news|date=2 September 2018|accessdate=25 September 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.teaomaori.news/maori-coaches-bring-flavour-elite-netball-dame-noeline-taurua-says|title=Maori coaches bring 'flavour' to elite netball, Dame Noeline Taurua says|publisher=www.teaomaori.news|date=12 April 2021|accessdate=25 September 2022}} She was born and raised in Southland.{{cite news|url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/netball/90451189/reinga-bloxham-homegrown-southern-steel-netball-coach-takes-the-reins|title=Reinga Bloxham: Homegrown Southern Steel netball coach takes the reins|publisher=stuff.co.nz|date=25 March 2017|accessdate=24 September 2022}} Differing sources give her place of birth as either Gore or Wyndham.{{cite news|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/netball/if-first-you-dont-succeed|title=If at first you don't succeed...|publisher=www.odt.co.nz|date=6 October 2016|accessdate=17 May 2018}} She is a niece of Georgie Salter, the former New Zealand netball international.{{cite news|url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/netball/87407529/georgie-salter-has-been-named-netball-south-coach-for-the-2017-national-league|title=Georgie Salter has been named Netball South coach for the 2017 national league|publisher=stuff.co.nz|date=10 December 2016|accessdate=25 September 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/netball/family-tie-drives-southern-coaches|title=Family tie drives southern coaches|publisher=www.odt.co.nz|date=10 December 2016|accessdate=25 September 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/netball/109005529/leading-netball-coach-and-former-silver-fern-georgie-salter-dies|title=Leading netball coach and former Silver Fern Georgie Salter dies|publisher=stuff.co.nz|date=30 November 2018|accessdate=30 November 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://anzpremiership.co.nz/news/article/coach-salter-to-be-honoured-on-super-sunday|title=Coach Salter to be honoured on Super Sunday|publisher=www.anzpremiership.co.nz|date=30 April 2019|accessdate=24 September 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/netball/steel-tapping-emotion-clash|title=Steel tapping into emotion for clash|publisher=www.odt.co.nz|date=10 July 2021|accessdate=25 September 2022}} Bloxham is the mother of two children, a son, Te Kaanu (born, c. 2000) and a daughter, Maraea (born, c. 2005).{{cite news|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/netball/bloxham-full-stride-and-thriving|title=Bloxham in full stride and thriving|publisher=www.odt.co.nz|date=28 May 2019|accessdate=24 September 2022}} Bloxham is also a primary school teacher.{{cite web|url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/73767462/te-huia-will-throw-her-hat-in-the-ring-for-southern-steel-netball-coach-role|title=Te Huia will throw her hat in the ring for Southern Steel netball coach role|publisher=stuff.co.nz|date=6 November 2015|access-date=29 August 2022}}

Playing career

=Southern Sting=

Between 1998 and 2004, during the Coca-Cola Cup/National Bank Cup era, Bloxham played as a midcourter for Southern Sting.{{cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/netball-force-set-to-unleash-a-secret-weapon/TLKYLCFFPN73HEJVDKLS42OLNY/|title=Netball: Force set to unleash a secret weapon|publisher=www.nzherald.co.nz|date=9 February 2004|accessdate=24 September 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/netball-sting-set-themselves-for-six-straight-titles/ALV4IIXEK6EHBPL4K6UMASR3XI/|title=Netball: Sting set themselves for six straight titles|publisher=www.nzherald.co.nz|accessdate=24 September 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/netball/8630272/Southern-Steel-appoint-Te-Huia-defence-coach|title=Southern Steel appoint Te Huia defence coach|publisher=stuff.co.nz|date=3 May 2013|accessdate=26 September 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/netball/netball-te-huia-defence-coach|title=Netball: Te Huia defence coach|publisher=www.odt.co.nz|date=4 May 2013|accessdate=24 September 2022}} She was a founding member of the Southern Sting team.{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/netball/74972620/reinga-te-huia-stays-on-as-southern-steel-assistant-coach|title=Reinga Te Huia stays on as Southern Steel assistant coach|publisher=stuff.co.nz|date=10 December 2015|accessdate=17 May 2018}}

=Southland=

Bloxham also played representative netball for Southland in the National Championships.{{cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/netball-national-championships-teams-and-first-round-draw/BZQ6J3X76UM7ZDPNXAHRMGDUYA/|title=Netball: National Championships teams and first round draw|publisher=www.nzherald.co.nz|date=14 September 2006|accessdate=24 September 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/netball-semifinal-pass-notes/ACSJML4HLF2A5OIMXAF72QQIZ4/|title=Netball: Semifinal pass notes|publisher=www.nzherald.co.nz|date=28 September 2006|accessdate=26 September 2022}}

Coaching career

=Southland=

In 2009, Te Huia, together with Jo Cunningham, co-coached the Southland team to victory in the Lois Muir Challenge. In 2010 and 2011, Te Huia and Cunningham co-coached the Southland team in the National Provincial Championships. Te Huia was the sole head coach of the Southland NPC team in both 2012 and 2013.{{cite news|url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/sport/3911302/Coaching-duo-relish-opportunity|title=Coaching duo relish opportunity|publisher=stuff.co.nz|date=13 July 2010|accessdate=26 September 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/netball/netball-stepping-steel|title=Netball: Stepping up for the Steel|publisher=www.odt.co.nz|date=10 November 2015|accessdate=24 September 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-southland-times/20131004/282179353795954|title=Southland win comes at a cost|work=The Southland Times|via=PressReader|date=4 October 2013|accessdate=24 September 2022}}

=Netball South=

In 2014 Te Huia was head coach of the Netball South U23 team that finished as runners up in the National U23 Championships.{{cite news|url=https://www.silverferns.co.nz/?view=article&id=3509:netball-south-name-formidable-2014-u23-squad|title=Netball South name formidable 2014 U23 squad|publisher=www.silverferns.co.nz|date=12 February 2014|accessdate=24 September 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/netball/netball-waikato-edges-south|title=Netball: Waikato edges South|publisher=www.odt.co.nz|date=11 July 2014|access-date=20 July 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.silverferns.co.nz/images/zones/south/documents/2014-Annual-Report.pdf|title=2014 Netball South Annual Report|publisher=www.silverferns.co.nz|access-date=10 May 2022}}

=Southern Steel=

;Assistant coach

During the 2013 ANZ Championship season, Te Huia joined Southern Steel as a defensive coach, replacing Natalie Avellino as a member of Steel's coaching staff. In 2014 and 2015, she served as assistant coach to Janine Southby.{{cite news|url=https://www.southernsteel.co.nz/about-us/steel-history/southern-steel-2014-netball-team-trans-tasman-__I.38771|title=Southern Steel 2014 Netball Team|publisher=www.southernsteel.co.nz|access-date=23 April 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.netballcentral.co.nz/images/zones/south/documents/2015-Annual-Report.pdf|title=2015 Netball South Annual Report|publisher=www.netballcentral.co.nz|date=29 February 2016|access-date=24 September 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.southernsteel.co.nz/about-us/steel-history/team-players-netball-games-2015-__I.46763|title=Southern Steel 2015 Netball Team|publisher=www.southernsteel.co.nz|access-date=9 May 2021}} When Southby was appointed New Zealand head coach, Te Huia unsuccessfully applied for the Steel head coach position. Despite this, she subsequently served Noeline Taurua as assistant coach for the 2016 season and helped Steel finish as minor premiers.{{cite news|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/netball/netball-te-huia-putting-ground-work|title=Netball: Te Huia putting in ground work|publisher=www.odt.co.nz|date=3 February 2016|accessdate=24 September 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.silverferns.co.nz/images/zones/south/documents/2016/2016-annual-report.pdf|title=2016 Netball South Annual Report|publisher=www.silverferns.co.nz|access-date=2 May 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.southernsteel.co.nz/about-us/steel-history/southern-steel-netball-team-2016-players-management-__I.51915|title=Southern Steel 2016 Netball Team|publisher=www.southernsteel.co.nz|access-date=7 June 2021}}

;Head coach

In October 2016, ahead of the 2017 season, Southern Steel appointed Te Huia, now Bloxham, as their new head coach.{{cite news|url=https://www.anzpremiership.co.nz/news/article/steel-appoint-new-coach|title=Steel appoint new coach|publisher=www.anzpremiership.co.nz|date=5 October 2016|accessdate=24 September 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/netball/84985949/reinga-bloxham-named-as-new-southern-steel-netball-franchise-coach|title=Knowledge of Southern Steel players gives new coach Reinga Bloxham advantage|publisher=stuff.co.nz|date=5 October 2016|access-date=29 August 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/314935/southern-steel-appoint-replacement-for-taurua|title=Southern Steel appoint replacement for Taurua|publisher=www.rnz.co.nz|date=5 October 2016|accessdate=25 September 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/netball/88313501/the-reinga-bloxham-reign-begins-as-the-southern-steel-starts-2017-preperations?rm=m|title=The Reinga Bloxham reign begins as the Southern Steel start 2017 preparations|publisher=stuff.co.nz|date=11 January 2017|access-date=21 August 2022}} She subsequently guided Steel to an unbeaten season with 21 wins and zero defeats. Steel finished the season as minor premiers and winners of both the 2017 ANZ Premiership and the 2017 Netball New Zealand Super Club.{{cite news|url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/netball/94210170/homegrown-southern-steel-coach-reinga-bloxham-never-dreamed-of-unbeaten-season|title=Homegrown Southern Steel coach Reinga Bloxham 'never dreamed of' unbeaten season|publisher=stuff.co.nz|date=29 June 2017|accessdate=17 May 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/netball/94511661/new-zealand-champions-southern-steel-add-super-club-to-trophy-cabinet|title=Southern Steel complete perfect season by winning Super Club final|publisher=stuff.co.nz|date=7 July 2017|access-date=11 May 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.silverferns.co.nz/images/zones/south/documents/2017/2017-Netball-South-Annual-Report.pdf|title=Netball South Annual Report 2017|publisher=www.silverferns.co.nz|date=12 February 2018|access-date=10 May 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.southernsteel.co.nz/about-us/steel-history/team-players-netball-games-2017-__I.58770|title=Southern Steel 2017 Netball Team|publisher=www.southernsteel.co.nz|access-date=26 April 2022}} In 2018, Bloxham guided Steel to a second ANZ Premiership title.{{cite news|url=https://www.southernsteel.co.nz/about-us/steel-history/team-players-netball-games-2018-__I.64995|title=Southern Steel 2018 Netball Team|publisher=www.southernsteel.co.nz|access-date=9 May 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/382938/netball-steel-chasing-a-title-three-peat-under-the-radar|title=Netball: Steel chasing a title three-peat under the radar|publisher=www.rnz.co.nz|date=20 February 2019|accessdate=25 September 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://anzpremiership.co.nz/Images/Assets/130418/1/2019%20ANZP%20Media%20Guide_Digital_vLow%20Res.pdf|title=Media Guide 2019 ANZ Premiership |publisher=anzpremiership.co.nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301074612/https://anzpremiership.co.nz/Images/Assets/130418/1/2019%20ANZP%20Media%20Guide_Digital_vLow%20Res.pdf|archive-date=1 March 2019|date=24 February 2019|access-date=14 August 2022}}

=New Zealand=

In 2022, Bloxham has worked with New Zealand as head coach of the New Zealand A team and as assistant coach of the senior team.{{cite news|url=https://www.silverferns.co.nz/silver-ferns/news/latest-news/taurua-to-miss-cadbury-netball-series-build-up.html|title=Taurua to miss Cadbury Netball Series build up|publisher=www.silverferns.co.nz|date=11 July 2022|accessdate=24 September 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/netball-series-silver-ferns-coach-dame-noeline-taurua-to-miss-upcoming-series-with-covid-19/PI4AKNEQLL3AU4TORN66ZNIB2A/|title=Netball Series: Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua to miss upcoming series with Covid-19|publisher=www.nzherald.co.nz|date=11 July 2022|accessdate=24 September 2022}}

=Cardiff Dragons=

In 2024, Bloxham was appointed as head coach of the Cardiff Dragons.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-15 |title=Reinga Bloxham: Cardiff Dragons name coach for Netball Super League |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/netball/articles/czq69z5v6lyo |access-date=2025-06-28 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-gb}}